Body of missing AT hiker found Wednesday
News February 20, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Searchers Wednesday (Feb 19) located the body of 60-year-old Eddie Noonkester, who was reported missing Friday while hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
More than 200 staff personnel from 25 agencies and volunteers searched the treacherous terrain tirelessly through several downpours for four days looking for the North Carolina man.
The search had to be called off Tuesday evening when another downpour and lightning struck the area. The search resumed Wednesday and the body was located near Cochran falls in the afternoon.
The body was found at approximately 2:28 p.m. Wednesday approximately one mile southwest of mile marker 3 hike in trail.
Dawson County EMS Director Danny Thompson said foul play is not suspected, but the body will be transported to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy.
“I can’t thank the men and women enough for searching and assisting in the recovery effort. They made every effort to bring him home to his family.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Search for missing hiker enters third day
News February 18, 2020
Eddie Noonkester
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — A multi-agency search for a North Carolina man reported missing during what was to have been a through hike along the Appalachian Trail entered a third day Tuesday.
Dawson County Public Safety Director Danny Thompson said during a morning press that Eddie Noonkester, 60, was reported missing Sunday morning. He is described as 5-feet, 10 inches tall and approximately 200 pounds with gray hair and a gray goatee. At approximately 11:30 a.m. Noonkester spoke to a Dawson County a 911 operator who said the man appeared “confused” and could not identify his location.
“On Monday, searchers found some of the man’s personal belongings. Last night, we focused with K-9 a search of that area throughout the evening and into the early morning hours,” Thompson said.
“Today we called in assistance from numerous law enforcement agencies. The DNR, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Parks Service staff and numerous fire departments from Gilmer, Fannin, Union are all represented here today.”
The National Forest Service pinged the man’s cell phone and today’s search is focused on that area but there have been no further pings and it appears the cell phone battery is dead.
The area being searched today is from the approach trail down High Shoals Road which leads to Len Foote Hike Inn and the Len Foote Trail back down to the visitors’ center and the falls.
Thompson described the area that is being searched is “very, very treacherous.”
Heavy downpours can be expected in the area the next 72 hours as well as the possibility of winter weather moving in.
“We will continue the push for Eddie in hopes of a positive outcome,” Thompson said.
Thompson said an email has been set up for anyone who would like volunteer to join the search. If you would like to volunteer, email [email protected] Please leave a phone number, your availability, and hiking level of experience.
If anyone has seen Noonkester, you are asked to contact the Dawson County 911.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Hiker reported missing on Appalachian Trail
News February 18, 2020
DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Dawson County Emergency Services will hold a 10:30 a.m. press conference today (Feb. 18) to update the public on the search for Eddie Noonkester.
Noonkester was reported missing after he began a hike on the Appalachian Trail Friday. Family members say Noonkester called them on Sunday morning and appeared to be confused. They convinced him to call 9-1-1 but emergency officials were unable to find him, despite attempts to track his cell phone. Emergency Services confirms that it did appear he had become disoriented and may be suffering from a medical emergency.
Dawson County Emergency Services posted that they may have found his gear and are narrowing the search. It is believed that he is on or near the AT approach trail somewhere in Dawson County, however it is also possible that he has wandered off the trail and surrounding National Forest or Park property. Anyone with information is asked to please call 9-1-1.